Tire inflating air pressure controller



May 5, 1931. A. J. NELSON ET AL 1,803,863

TIRE INFLATUG AIR PRESSURE CONTROLLER Filed Aug. 2O 1923 Patented May 5, 1931 UNITED SA'TES PTNT OFFCE ALBIN JOHN NELSON AND CAR-L SGEN FS-SMANN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK TIRE INFLATNG AIR yPRESSURE CONTROLLER Application filed August 20, 192i?. Serial No. 300,758.

rlhis invention relates to tire pressure controllers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved pneumatic pressure feed and i control whereby the pressure in a chamber can be set with accuracy, and the pressure cut off on attaining the required condition in the chamber.

Another object of the invention is the prol vision of a device of the nature set forth, wherein an improved pressure relief assures Safety in the operation of the device and permits pressure to be bled from the charnber should the same be too high.

A further object of the invention is to furnish an improved device of the type mentioned which is particularly applicable for use with tires, and includes a pressure supply conduit and a pressure control conduit both of which can be detachably operatively connected with a conventional tire valve Structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the nature set forth having a dial and an adjusting cam for the device mounted in an improved manner. j

A further object of the invention is to construct a device of the character described which is of simplified construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and reliableand eflicient in use to a high degree.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

lVith the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

inflating air VFigure l is a front elevation of a deviceV embodyingthe invention, certain parts being removed and others in section to show 1nterior construction.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a view of a detail of the device, showing a modification.

This present invention is particularly applicable in connection with the inliating of tires, although it can be used with various types of pressure containers, and whether the fluid be a liquid or a gas, and within the scope of the invention a tire merely represents a fluid pressure chamber. As hereinafter set forth, the pressure controller is operated directly from the tire, thereby assuring accuracy and minimizing the effects of a pressure drop through the air-supply line. The invention also includes a pressure relief or vent to counterbalance any retardation that may obtain due to frictional effects in the fluid pressure and whereby the pressure in the tire might rise above that in-` tended. The said relief is useful as a safety means` and prevents injury to the tire by eX-l cessive pressure in the eventv that any part of the device vshould fail to function for any reason whatever. The invention Aemploys a Vpressure feed conduit and a pressure control conduit, both of which are flexible, and inchicles a valve bodywhich is readily engageable with a tire valve structure of any standard type.

The advantages lof the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplication of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 denotes a device embodying the invention. The same includes an'instrument casing 11 having at its upper portion a dial l2 mounted on supports 13. In central relation to the dial is a shaft 14 journaled in a hollow bracket l5 that is mounted on the rear wall (SUI 16 of the casing. The said bracket is slotted at 17 to receive a cam 18 through the hub of which the shaft 14 passes. The said cam is pinned to the shaft at 19 to be turned into any desired position by manipulating the knob 20, according to a pointer 21 on the said shaft, which coacts with the dial. It will be understood that the device can be calibrated so that the readings on the dial are true with the cam.

Guided inthe bracket for vertical sliding movement, is a follower 22 having arms 23 between which the'cam coacts therewith. The said follower terminates at its lower end in a plate 24 which bears against the upper end cfa coil spring 25, whose lower ends rest on a plate 26. The latter is mounted on a vertically movable pin 27, which is slidingly guided in a bushing 28 that is screwed into an upper arm 29` of a bracket Sleeves 31, 32 having telescopic relation with each other are mounted on plates 24 and 26 respectively, and inclose the spring 25.v The sleeve 32 has mounted thereon a horizontal flange 33 for a purpose hereinafter described. Coacting with the spring `is a pneumatic inotor 34 which is iXedly mounted at its lower end on arm a ofthe bracket. The motor is expansible upward by pressure therein, against the force of thev spring, whichhas previously been set tothe requiredftension by rotation of the canr18. Y

` Disposed within the casing 10, is a valve body 35 having a chamber 36 therein, which is provided ywith a plurality of oppositely arranged, coaxial valve seats 37 and 38. The seat 37 may vbe formed on a transverse annular guide flange 39, whose opening 40 is central with respect to said valve seat, to slidingly receive a Valve actuating rod 41. The latter is operated by a compression coil yspring 42 and tends to move a ball v alve 43 inthe valve chamber into vengagement with the seat 38. The spring 42 is mounted in any convenient manner on the valve body 35, preferably in a chamber 44 which communicates with the chamber 36 through the passage 40 the annular space about the rod 41. Closing the chamber 44 is a plug 45 having a recess for seating the spring. rlhe companion valve seatr 38 is formed on a bushing 46 that is screwed into the valve body. The said bushing is formed with a passage 47 central with respect to the seat 38, and is counterbored at 48 to receive a plunger 49 which projects at one end `from the bushing, and has at its other end a rod 50 adapted to move the valve 43 from the seatf38 into engagement with the seat 37. To constitute the passages 47 and 48 a vent for the valve chamber 38, the said passages are to an accurately predetermined extent larger than the members received therein, whereby t a pressure relief isnprovided of sufficient capacity to be safe, and yet governed according to a denite time element during which the pressure in the tire is reduced in the event that it is for any cause too high, and during which time element the lag in the device 10 is overcome and the said device sets the pressure in the tire within close limits of pressure.

Communicating with the valve chambers 44 and' 36 are inlet and outlet port-ions 5l, 52 respectively of a pressure supply conduit 53. The conduit portion 51 is connected to any suitable source of pressure, while the portion 52 is connected preferably by a hose 54 to an outlet head 55. The latter includes a body 56 having a chamber 57 in which is a resilient valve seat 58 to coact with a valve 59. The latter is formed on a rod 60, and is actuated by a spring 61 into closing position. The valve chamber 57 is closed by a plug 62 that has a central re cess in which the spring 61 seats. A nipple 63 communicates with the valve chamber, and readily engages the hose 54. The plunger 60 has an annular recess 64 in spaced relation to the valve 57 and positioned ahead of the same relative to the normal direction of {low of Huid from the hose 54 into the tire T. A nipple 65a communicates with the annular recess .64, and engaged with the nipple is a yhose 65 that communicates with the pneumatic motor 34. Taking around the free end 66 of the plunger 60 is a resilient annular member 67-held in place by a locknut 68. The head is engageable with any standard tire valve structure 70, which includes a sleeve 71 and a central valve actuating pin 72. On engaging the head 55 with the sleeve 71 at Vthe gasket 67, the plunger abuts the end 'of the pin 72, whereby the tire Valve structure 70 is opened, and at the same time the valve 57 is displaced, permitting the air in the supply conduit to flow into the tire through the annular space about the plunger 60. This area may be comparatively restricted so that no air will flow into the control conduit until the pressure in the tire has been sutliciently built up to afford back pressure and reduce the velocity of the air.

The operation of the device 10 will now be clearly apparent. On establishing communication with a tire as stated, .air flows through the tube 51, thence into chamber 44, through the passage 40 and into the chamber 36. Thence it flows through the outlet portion 52 of the pressure supply conduit into the head 55. lNhen-the pressure in the tire `has been built up, the air pressure at the tire actuates the motor 34. The latter produces a deflection in thevspring 25, causing an upward movement of the flange 33. This in turn moves a lever 73 which is pivotally mounted at 74 and includes a yoke, the arms 75 ofwhich take around the sleeve 3l, and are provided with adjust-able set screws 76 for engaging the flange 33. rlhe free end 77 of the lever actuates the plunger Li9 to cause the ball valve 43 to engage valve seat 87 thus closing the pressure supply conduit 53 between the4 portions 51 and 52 thereof. lf there is any la@ in the operation of 'the device 10 due to a l 1 s the time required lor the pressure to low l through the control conduit 65 to the motor seat 38 and establish communications between the portions 51, of the supply conduit, so that pressure again flows into the tire. This variation in pressure produced by what is known as hunting of the device, is very slight. 1f the tire has been previously filled with air, and the proper pressure exceeded7 the device 10 will serve to reduce the pressure to the desired pressure. In that case, on establishing communication between the tire and the head 55, no pressure will flow into the tire, but pressure will be vented therefrom. The subsequent operation of the instrument will be exactly as hereinbefore described in connection with the infiating of tires. On removing the head 53 from the tire valve, the valve 57 automatically closes the pressure supply conduit.

It will be noted that, because of its pressure relief feature, the device 10 provides for a high degree of safety in the use thereof, and that the tire can not be burst due to failure of the said device to operate, as, for example, if the motor 34: should break.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modified constructionA for the head 55. This takes the form of a head 80, and is provided with a plurality of valve chambers 81, 82, separated by a disc 88 threaded into the chamber 81. The latter is closed by a plug 8a, while the other has at its opening a resilient annular gasket held in place by a lock member 86. The disc 83 has a central sleeve 87 projecting therefrom into the valve chamber 82. Coacting with the gasket 85 is a valve 88 which is adapted to seat at 89 on the said gasket. The said valve includes an elongated tubular stem 90 having a passage 90a, and eX- tending to both sides thereof at 91 and 92. The portion 91 has telescopic engagement with the sleeve 87 and communicates with the chamber 81 through an opening 92 in the disc 83. "he portion 92 entends through the opening 85a in the gasket 85, for co-operation with a pin 72 of a tire valve. The

portion 92 is preferably closed at its end, but has a laterally extending passage 94 affording communication between the passage in vthe tubular stem 91 and the region in proximitythereto, and within the valve seat 89. rl`he passage 94E may incline slightly ,in the direction of normal flow of the air from nipple 95 and into the tire. A tubular member 98 of elastic material extends over the members 87 and 90 to afford an air tight connection therebetween. The member 96 is deformable to permit the tube 90 to move inward in the sleeve 87 so that the valve 88 may open. When the pressure in the tire has been built up, pressure Hows through passages 94 and 90a, into chamber 81, and thence through nipple 97 into the pressure control conduit, as hereinbefore set forth.

y The invention may include additional indicating means to effectively notify the operator when the tire has been properly inflated. The indicating means referred to may take the form of a lamp 98 and a bell 99, either or both of which may be used. The indicating means is preferably electrically operated, being connected in circuit in a well known manner to receive current from outgoing wires 100 and 101. The circuit is closed or opened by a device 102 which is mounted within the instrument casing and includes a plurality of normally spaced contacts 103 and 104. The latter is preferably rigid, while the former is of any well known spring type and includes an insulatingV button 105 adapted to engage an arm 106 which is connected to the lever 78 for movement.therewith.A lt will now be clear that whenthe tire has been brought up to the required pressure, the lever 78 swings upward, throwing the arm 106 to the right and closing the circuit through the device 102 whereby a lamp is lit or a signal sounded as the case may be.

lt will thus be seen that I have provided a device which fulfills the several objects of the invention and is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

lV e claim: v, V 1. A tire inliating air pressure controller, including a pressure supply conduit, and a pressure control conduit, a valve for the pressure supplyfconduit, a pneumatic motor for the pressure control conduit, a body with which said conduits communicate, said body having a valve automatically closing the pressure supply conduit, said valve being opened on engaging the body with the tire valve structure, to permit pressure to flow into the tire, said motor closing the lirst mentioned valve when the required pressure in the tire has been attained, and a vent opened by the first mentioned valve as the same closes the pressure supply conduit.

2. A tire inflating air pressure controller, including a pressure supply conduit, and a tcl) les

pressure control conduit, ay valve for thev pressure supply conduit, a pneumatic motor Jfor the pressure control conduit, a body With Which said conduits communicate, said body having a valve automatically closing the pressure supply conduit, saidA valve being opened on engaging the body With the tire valve structure, to permit pressure to flow into the tire, said motor closing the rst mentioned valve When the required Ypressure in the tire has been attained, and means opened by the first mentioned valve to relieve pressure in the pressure supply conduit When the rst mentioned valve is closed as aforesaid.

3. In a device of the character described, a pneumatic, expansible motor set to a given pressure, a conduit to carry an air supply under pressure to a tire, means affording communication between said tire and saidv motor, means including a Valve actuated by the motor to stop the flow of air through the conduit into the tire when the pressure in the tire operates the motor, and vent means for relieving the air supply pressure to the tire, said valve opening the vent means onstopping the flow of air as aforesaid.

4. In a device of the character described, a valve having an inlet, connected to an air pressure supply, an outlet adapted to conneet with a tire, and a vent for relieving the air pressure supply, means for establishing communication between said inlet and outlet on closure of said vent and for cutting oi said communication on opening the vent, and air pressure actuated means connected With said supply and including a single valve and motor for controlling said first mentioned means.

5. In a device of the character described,- a valve having an inlet connected to an air pressure supply, an outlet adapted to connect with a tire, and a vent for relieving the air pressure supply, means for establishing communication between said inlet and outlet on closure of said vent and for cutting 0E said communication on opening the vent, a single air pressure actuated means connected With said supply for controlling said first mentioned means, and means for adjusting said actuated means to operate said lirst mentioned means at ay predetermined air pressure.

In testimony whereof We afiiX our signatures.

ALBIN JOI-IN NELSON.

CARL JOHN ESSMANN. 

